Ohio Association of Professional Fire Fighters: Our Actions Protect Friends and Families

Conference Blog and Information

May 5, 2008 Am Session PM Session

2008 Conference Resolutions (Click Here)

District Meeting Updates Click on the following links for distict updates. 1st District - 2nd District - 3rd District - 4th District

2008 MDA Golf Outing and OAPFF Update We have a very special Kick-Off planned for this year and hope to have representation from every Local. You are invited to be O.A.P.F.F. and MDA’s guest for lunch and golf on Thursday, May 29, 2008, at the Foxfire Golf Club (see attached flyer). Registration will begin at 8:30 am, with the meeting starting promptly at 9:30 am.

We are celebrating our 50th Ohio AFL-CIO Biennial Convention in Cleveland Ohio, September 9 – 11, 2008 To celebrate we’re giving you a chance to win a2009 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy!

Cincinnati Fire Fighter Needs Life-Saving Transplant February 27, 2008 – IAFF HazMat/WMD Training Instructor and Cincinnati, OH Local 48 member Bobby Shelton has been serving and protecting the lives of others for 17 years. Now, after finding out he needs a kidney transplant, it’s his life that needs saving. Shelton suffers from diabetes and hypertension, which led to chronic kidney disease several years ago. Doctors have recommended a transplant, and are hoping a kidney will become available before Shelton is forced to start dialysis. Friends have offered their kidneys, but none has been a match. Shelton’s daughter does not meet the minimum age requirement of 18, therefore, his family options are few at best. Shelton is now on the donor list, but could wait two years, possibly longer, for a transplant. The long wait puts Shelton’s life at risk, as well as his job. The department has placed him on light duty until his health issues are resolved.

For more information, or to be tested to determine if you are a medical match, contact Shelton at (513) 484-0322 or email robertshelton@fuse.net.

Dr. Werman, medical director for MedFlight, submitted Local 291 members as nominees for the 10th Annual Star of Life Award.The incident that brought these crew members together on the street that day saved the life of a 17 year old female who was struck by a vehicle in a heavily travelled intersection in downtown Lancaster. Their quick action and professional treatment truly proved to be a life saver for this young lady.

Please look for more about this story in the next upcoming issue of "First Due"

BROWN INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO PROMOTE FIRE SAFETY STANDARDS

For Immediate Release: OFFICE OF U.S. SENATOR SHERROD BROWN WASHINGTON, DC— According to the International Association of Fire Fighters, more than 100 fire fighters die in the line of duty each year, while tens of thousands of additional fire fighters sustain work-related injuries. Today, U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown (D-OH) introduced legislation that would promote compliance with consensus safety standards to reduce the number of avoidable fatalities among fire fighters. While the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and other groups have developed industry safety standards, they are voluntary in nature and often ignored by fire departments. Brown’s bill would encourage the adoption of national consensus fire fighter safety standards and promote fire department compliance with such standards.

A Time to Reflect on our “Family” Family. If one word best describes this profession it is family. That is all too obvious as we, the OAPFF and the fire service as a whole, come to terms with the tragic loss in Colerain Township this past Friday. Any time we hear of a fire fighter Line of Duty Death we are saddened. To have it happen within the ranks of our OAPFF makes it all the more real and difficult.

Labor Leader Profile

Dave McElfresh is the President of IAFF 109 in Newark. He was raised in a union household and knew from his grandfather’s stories about fighting for his rights as a coal miner that organized labor held the key to winning the rights and benefits he needed to provide for his family.

Dave is in his second year as president of the Firefighters 109, and he has been very successful in getting his members politically involved. This is important, as he explains it, because even though the firefighters make a good living and have good jobs, the faltering economy has a serious impact on the tax base of the communities that pay them, so even they are not safe from future lay-offs. The exportation of good manufacturing jobs has hurt everyone in Ohio, not just the people whose jobs were lost, and it has the potential to do much more damage if something isn’t done to rebuild Ohio’s industry. That’s why Dave says that rebuilding industry “has to be a priority of the leadership of our country and our state.” The Firefighters hold an annual Christmas charity to help out needy families in their city, so they know how badly Ohio needs responsible leadership. (Contrast that with John McCain, who says that free trade is “the future of America’s economy".) Dave says, “the state of Ohio has lost so many good-paying jobs, and they’ve been replaced by low-paying jobs without benefits -- here in the city of Newark I believe we’re seeing third generation poverty, and that’s a real bad sign.” That’s why he encourages his members to buy American-made products whenever they can.

Dave and his wife, Kelly, live with their children in Newark. You can watch highlights of this interview here.

Fallen Firefighter Remembered Five Years Later A Cincinnati firefighter who lost his life trying to save the lives of others was remembered Friday morning.

Witness Describes Ambulance Crash STEUBENVILLE, Ohio -- Police are still investigating a crash on Sunset Boulevard that killed 51-year-old Jackie George. While driving along Sunset Boulevard with her puppy, George made a left-hand turn that took her life. On Saturday afternoon, the car George was driving and an ambulance collided.

Toledo Fire Dept. recruiting gets big response TOLEDO -- They're coming in from all over the country, with the hopes of fighting Toledo fires. The Toledo Fire Department is starting the application process for its new fire class, slated to be sworn in this December.

Man dies days after medic truck breaks down en route to hospital COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A newly widowed Columbus woman is angry that the medics' truck broke down when they tried to take her husband to the hospital for a massive heart attack.

Save the date! MDA spring Luncheon and appreciation golf outing. Click Here For Information!

Pursuing Excellence

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